Yu Yu Hakusho

2: Hate and Reconsideration

Saga: The Dark Tournament

Lain's eyes shot open as she realized a storm had started. She sat upright and then looked around the room she was in. There were two beds on either side of her and two at the other side of the room. She looked at the ones that were next to her, Yusuke Hiei were still in their beds, along with Kurama and Kuwabara. She gave a sigh of relief, she had already found out that Yusuke could sleep walk, and had to fend him off for at least half the night.

She reached around at the side of her bed for her katana that was on the floor. She found it and then pulled back the blankets that were on her bed and then stood up. She looked around the room once more, just to make sure that everyone was still asleep, and they were. She headed towards the door and then opened it as quietly as she could with her hand that was not clutching onto her katana. She entered the hallway, barefoot and then headed for the deck that was only a few yards away from where they were all staying.

She began her walk through the corridors that led to the deck, trying to be as quite as she could. She was soon in front of the steeps that lead to the deck. She took her first steep on them and then stopped dead, she could hear foot steeps. Someone was following her.

"What are you doing?" Hiei asked looking up at her. "Why are you going outside? You know there's a storm going on." He clutched onto the katana, which was in his hand also. He had brought it just in case some of the other people on the ship were trying to attack Lain again.

"I like the rain," Lain answered with no emotion at all. She began walking up the steeps again. "I'll probably be out here until the storm is over. So you can go back to bed now if you like."

"I can't," Hiei replied following her. "Kurama's asked me to keep an eye on you."

"Why?" Lain asked stepping out into the rain. "I'm not a kid, I can take care of myself, and I don't need to be watched by others." She took another steep on the deck and then slipped. She gave a small cry out and then was caught in Hiei's outstretched arms. She looked up at him and then blushed.

"You sure you can take care of yourself?" Hiei asked her.

"I…yes I'm sure," Lain replied getting even more red in the face. She stood up and then gripped onto her sword tighter. "I just slipped that's all… nothing that bad. You don't have to follow me around."

"I'm not following. I'm watching," Hiei answered.

"Oh and that make me fell so much better," Lain answered as her black shirt and baggy plaid pants got soaked through. She shook her head, which made her hair move out of her eyes. She then slid her katana out from her sheath. She then swung it forward violently but stopped it at the last moment from hitting the deck. She did this a few more times and then turned so she was facing Hiei. "I see you brought your sword. Care to spare with me?"

"Fine," Hiei answered as a smile spread across his face. "But I warn you now, don't take me lightly. You might actually have a better chance if you were not mortal right now. If you were in your Tantei power than you would have a much better chance at defeating me."

"Oh you make it sound as though you are unbeatable," Lain said laughing a little, and then smiled. "Well I guess I'll just have to find out!"

She changed at him and then jumped into the air. She swung her sword down, but it only made contact with his own sword, which he had flung up near his face to stop her attack. She smiled at him again and then jumped back. She ran at him this time and swung her katana down on him, he blocked once more. She threw her sword again, to once more be blocked .She repeated this a few more time until she realized he wasn't going to let up his guard.

"Hey! Your not bad!" Lain yelled at him as she started to breath heavily. "At least your worth fighting!" She smiled at him again was about to charge at him once more, but he had already started towards her. She blinked at him a little surprised but swung her sword up just in time to block. She back up a little as he swung again, she blocked once more.

She moved her foot back a little, which was a big mistake. It caused her to lose balance and fall on the ground. Her sword went flying out of her hand, and was caught by Hiei's outstretched hand. He grinned down at her and then pointed his own sword down at her body.

"It seems I have won," Hiei said still smiling. "And you have lost."

"Don't rub it in," Lain said crossing her arms over her chest and then smiled up at him. "So now that I have lost… can you remove your sword from my face now."

He did so and Lain got back up on her feet and held out her hand.

"What?" Hiei asked looking at her a little confused.

"You do realize that you have my sword, don't you?" Lain asked looking at him a little stupidly. "Can I have it back?"

She received her sword and then walked over to where her blue sheath lie, she had dropped it in the process of the battle. She picked it up and then sheathed her sword. She sighed and then shook her head again. Which was no help, considering it was still raining down upon her, and Hiei.

"Why are you out here?" Hiei asked, hoping that this would start up a conversation, since everything was silent now.

"I told you. Because I like the rain," Lain replied walking over to the railing that surrounded the ship. She stopped in front of it and then starred down at the sea.

"That's not why you came up here," Hiei said. "Even if you do like the rain, there's no reason to waste you time up here. And besides, you brought your sword with you, what reason would you have for bringing a sword, if you only like the rain?"

"You ask a lot, like Kurama," Lain said smiling a little. "You know I've heard a lot about you, in the Spirit World I mean."

"What about it?" Hiei asked not daring to walk closer to her, but just stayed standing, gazing at her with no affection at all.

"You and Kurama stole the Ancient Artifacts that were supposed to be guarded by Koenma," Lain began and then paused. She glazed down at the ocean emptily. "You had in possession the Shadow Sword, and Kurama the Forlorn Hope. But the question is…why would you want to steal them? I mean don't you have enough power as it is? I mean being Tantei and all? You are a demon…and so is Kurama."

"Why would you ask about that?" Hiei asked narrowing his eyes at her, even though he knew she couldn't see him. "What is it to you?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering," Lain replied shrugging her shoulders. "I just knew that you had no criminal record before that, Kurama too… he wasn't that well known, since he was living in the human world and all…"

"For power I guess," Hiei responded sighing but kept his eyes narrowed. "Kurama was a fool and steeped out of the game early. To save that fake human mother of his."

"Your nice," Lain said sarcastically. "I would have thought spending time in the company of humans…you would have not hated them so much. I mean most demon's hate all humans… but then again, I can't blame them…" She laughed and then looked up at the sky above her. "Wouldn't that mean that you would hate me too? Because I am also human." She turned around and faced him with a blank expression on her face.

"Your not human, your Tantei," Hiei replied a little token back. "Your powers just aren't in reach right now, Kurama has the same problem as you. As soon as the both of you can access your powers again you can become demon."

"Yeah…right," Lain said turning her back on him again. "So why did Kurama order you to follow me around?"

"Well it wasn't exactly a order. Just a favor," Hiei replied. "Since I am the strongest out of the two of us he thought it best that I tail you around before the tournament started. And I see good reason's for what he's thinking. Since after all more incidents can happen to you."

Lain laughed at what Hiei had said to her and then swung her self around so she was facing him again. She walked forward a few steeps and then shook her head.

"You don't think I can take care of myself? I may not be able to use my powers but I can still fight with my fists and my blade!" Lain said shaking her head again. "I just don't understand why you two are making such a big deal about all of this. It's stupid. But I have some advice for you. Just leave me alone, I don't need anyone following or 'watching' as you say it, me."

"What is your problem?" Hiei asked frowning at her. "Can't you be happy that Kurama is at least taking some concern for your safety? I saw what happened between you and Touya this morning. He would have done anything to you that he wanted. You see your weaker than he is and you just don't want to admit it."

"Shut-up!" Lain yelled at him now frowning. "You don't know what you're talking about Hiei! Just leave me alone! That's all I ask of you! I don't need any of this crap! I shouldn't even have come to this stupid tournament! I just thought it best to see Kurama again…but no! I was wrong! This is all just going to be a screwed up again! I don't want to do this anymore! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Lain saw a more wickedly frown come upon Hiei's face. His eyes seemed to be burning with anger. She gulped and then clutched her sword tighter. She was about to take a steep back, but found herself pinned to the ground an instant latter.

Hiei was leaning over her. His face was in front of hers, angry. He had her arms pinned down with his hands and her legs pinned down with his knees.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?" Lain screamed out at him angrily as she tried to jerk forward, but found it impossible.

"You've got one nasty attitude," Hiei said still frowning at her. "I don't know what your problem is but you seem to be taking it out with words on me and Kurama. We've done nothing to you accept try and give you a little help, but you refuse it and act selfish. What is it that you're hiding!?"

"Nothing! Now get off of me! NOW!" Lain screamed at him frowning harder. "GET OFF!"

Hiei backed off of her and then steeped back, watching Lain with careful eyes as she got up from the deck. "Don't talk like that again. I don't want to hear it."

"You can't tell me what to do!" Lain barked back at him angrily. "You have no right in telling me what to do."

"But I do. That is if you have more power. I am more powerful than you," Hiei said glaring at her. "So I suggest if you want to prove something to me that you fight."

"Just shut-up and leave me alone!" Lain said angrily to him. She turned her back on him once again and stormed away. She could hear him following her the whole way. She stopped dead in her tracks and shuddered. "LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE! STOP FOLLOWING ME! NOW!"

"Make me," Hiei replied sounding a little annoyed.

She flinched at his reply and then began to finish storming back over in the direction of her room.  But instead of turning towards the door to her room she hanged a left and began to walk in the direction of bathroom. As soon as she opened to door to it she slammed it shut in Hiei's face.

"GO AWAY!" Lain shouted out through the door as she sat down on the edge of the bathtub in the room. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"I'll just wait here," Hiei replied loud enough for her to here. "It doesn't bother me, I just don't understand why you're so mad. I didn't do anything."

"GO AWAY!" Lain screamed back. "I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO YOU! YOUR SO STUPID!"

"What's all the racket?"  Yusuke asked yawning. He looked at Hiei half asleep. "Where's Lain at? Is that her there in the bathroom yelling?"

"Yes," Hiei answered getting more annoyed. "The stupid woman's mad at me for some reason."

"I'M NOT STUPID!" Lain screamed back.

"Why's she so upset?" Yusuke asked jumping at her loud voice, this had really woke him up. "You had to have done something to her to get her this angry. So…what the hell did you do!?"

"Nothing!" Hiei said angrily at him. "Kurama's asked me to keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't get into anymore trouble. Like she did this morning. And she's mad at me I guess because she doesn't like the fact that I'm trying to save her neck from Touya if he decides that he wants to do something to her."

"Touya? Is that her boyfriend?" Yusuke asked yawning. He then began to stretch, whiling watching Hiei twitch at more sounds of Lain's loud voice.

"Quite woman!" Hiei shouted out angrily. He slammed his fist on the door, which of course created a huge hole in the middle of it. He then retched the rest of the door off and glared at her. "What the hell is your problem!? I've done nothing wrong! I've told you this before!"

"You're the problem!" Lain shouted at him pointing. "I don't like the fact that your following me around! You don't think I can take care of myself!? Well I can Mr. hotshot! I've done it before, and I have been doing it for the last three years now! I don't need someone to keep an eye on me!"

"What the? Why are you doing that?" Yusuke asked snapping out of the world he was in. He looked at Hiei a little confused. "No offense or anything but I think she can take care of herself. Sure she might need help from time to time but I don't think she needs to be stalked."

"My point exactly!" Lain said smiling at Yusuke happily. Finally these people were beginning to make sense! "Yusuke's exactly right you idiot! So stop following me around! I don't care what Kurama's told you! I just want you to leave me alone!"

"Fine," Hiei shot back at her as he tried to surpress his new rage. "I'll leave you the hell alone as you've been asking. Just don't come to me when you need help! Because I won't agree!"

"Fine with me!" Lain shot at him. She then stormed away. She was going back on the deck, were the rain was. To be able to think straight was all she needed.

"Hey wait Lain!" Yusuke called out trying to go after her but stopped when Hiei shot him a nasty look.

"Don't bother. She's just an annoying little brat, it's not worth your time to try and talk to her," Hiei replied heading back to the room he was staying in. "Just ignore her Urameshi, that's all she wants. To be left alone, to drown in her own pain, suffering, and sorrow."

"I…" Yusuke began and then trailed off. He sighed and then followed behind Hiei.

Lain sat down on the wet deck, it was still raining hard upon her. She now had her sword out and was looking it over. She gripped the hilt harder when the thoughts of the fight with Hiei and her had, came into her mind. She flinched as she recalled what she had heard him said.

'Don't bother. She's just an annoying brat, it's not worth your time to try and talk to her. Just ignore her Urameshi, that's all she wants. To be left alone, to drown in her own pain, suffering, and sorrow.'

"He doesn't know what he's talking about," Lain muttered angrily to herself. She sniffed a little and held back all the tears that wanted to come out. All of what had just happened was going to add on to every other horrible thing she had ever had happen to her in her life.

She sheathed her sword again and then leaned back on her hands. The rain was still coming down, but seemed to be getting lighter. Dawn must have been approaching because it was already started to get light outside. She sniffed again but stopped when she heard foot steeps on the deck. They were approaching her.

"Go away Hiei! I don't want to talk to you!" Lain shouted out frowning.

"Hey wait a minute. I'm not Hiei," a familiar male voice said walking over to her. It was Kurama, he was wearing a stressed look on his face when he looked down at Lain. "I'm sorry about what has happened between the two of you. I shouldn't have asked him to do what I should have done myself. Lain…I'm sorry."

"But it's not your fault," Lain replied. "You just asked him to do something for you, to stalk me, and he did it. But he didn't have to. He could have said no, so it's his fault and not yours."

"But it is my fault," Kurama said smiling softly. He sat down beside her and looked at her pain stricken face. "Hiei was in debt to me. He had to do as I asked. To get out of the debt him and me had. He had to do it, it's part of his race's rules. You must repay the debt you are in. So it is my fault."

"No it's not," Lain replied not even sure of what she was saying now. She knew she had nothing else to say to support her answer, but she had said it anyway.

"Your just not willing to accept it are you. What is it that you have against admitting that I was the cause of the problem," Kurama asked looking at her again. "I know that I started it, and you know too. Right?"

"Yeah. But I'm sure you had your reasons for it," Lain began and then stopped. She sighed at what she was saying and then looked up at the sky above her. "Yeah. I don't want to accept that you're the reason why the fight began. I mean it's just so unlike you…"

"Is it really?" Kurama asked. "I'm having a hard time remembering what I was like when I was still Yoko Kurama."

"Oh shut-up," Lain said laughing as she pushed him by his shoulder lightly. "You know how you were, you can't have forgotten. You were one of the greatest demons in the world! You know that to! The world's greatest bandit fox!" She laughed again and then smiled. "I do miss the old days though. Everything was so perfect back then. I mean now…everything just seems to be full of hate and pain… Stuff has just gone down, that is if you know what I mean?"

"Yeah everything has changed. But the funny thing is…you've changed also," Kurama said glancing at her and then looked back at the sun that was starting to rise.

"Have I really?" Lain asked looking at him. "How? I've always thought that I've stayed the same. Even though I can't use my Tantei powers…and well I can't access the Kokuryuna anymore…or otherwise known as the Dragon of the Darkness Flame." She smiled as the memory of the first time she had called it appeared in her head.

"You can call that?" Kurama asked. "Hiei is still have difficulty accessing it… though I don't think that he's thought about it much lately…well that is since we boarded this ship…he's had other things on his mind…"

"Like what?" Lain asked looking at Kurama with some sort of curiosity to her tone.

"You'll just have to wait and see," Kurama replied smiling at her. "I don't think it would be right for me to tell you."

"Come on! You can tell me! Please, please!" Lain said now almost begging him. She was now on her knees looking at him with a gleeful look. "You can tell me! I won't tell him I swear!"

"No," Kurama replied laughing at her. "I can't do that. He's my friend and I wouldn't want to betray his loyalty to me, that's all… sort of like you?"

"Fine then," Lain said crossing her arms over her chest and then sat back down. The rain started to come down harder. The sun was blocked from view, daylight had started but was not visible. The storm was starting again. She stood up and then  yawned. "Well I guess we should go in… I think I'm starting to get sick, and I don't think it would be a good idea for you to get sick either…" She looked down at her soaking wet clothes and laughed a little. "And besides. I need to change my clothes!"

Kurama stood up after her but didn't follow her when she went inside. He just waited outside, as if he knew something was going to happen.

Lain ran down the steeps and then crashed into something. She looked up from the ground to see Hiei scowling down at her. She picked herself up and then looked around awkwardly. She saw him turn to leave but called out at him.

"No wait a minute please!" Lain called out grabbing his arm. She blushed a little when she saw him turn around to face her. She gulped and then continued talking. "I…I was talking to Kurama up there… and I thought I might apologize to you for being so rude. I was wrong…and well um…thank you?"

Hiei looked at her a little dumbstruck and then laughed. "You've given up all your pride just to say that to me right?"

"Well yeah…" Lain said looking at him a little confused. "Is that a problem? Or would you have liked me to have just stayed mad at you?"

"What ever," Hiei said as she let go of his arm. "But don't think that I'm going to start following you around again, because I won't. I'm not even going to try and save you anymore. Like you said before you can take care of yourself."

"No…I…" Lain said and then stopped as she held back all of her anger. Her hands turned into fists at her side. She gulped and then begun to talk again. "Look Hiei. I would like you too help me if I need help or ask for it…please?" She had now managed to kill all of her pride, every bit of it had gone down in front of Hiei. The stupid Tantei who was starting to make her miserable.

"And what if I don't want to? I mean you were so rude to me," Hiei said looking at her with a small smile on his face.

"I…" Lain began and then stopped. She had tried to make up with him, tried to have gotten back on his good side… but it wasn't working. He still hated her. She looked as though she was going to cry now but seemed to be holding it all back again. Why was he being so difficult?

"Be nice Hiei," Kurama said rolling his eyes at his friend. "She's apologizing to you. Take it as a complement, because I don't think she's going to do it again. I can barely get her to open up anymore. Just think of this as a new bond between the two of you or something? I mean you do need more friends…"

"What are you talking about? I don't need any friends," Hiei snapped back at Kurama who was shacking his head.

"Well just shut-up then," Lain said angrily. "Stop being so stupid Hiei! I'm apologizing to you and you better like it! Because I'm not going to do it again! I don't want any more of your crap! Just get along with me and everything will be fine alright!?"

"Wha?" Hiei said a little lost of words. She had just burst out of nowhere at him screaming.

"I'm taking that as a yes," Lain replied storming off in the direction of the Team Urameshi headquarters…a.k.a. the room she was sleeping in with  the rest of the team. She slammed the door open and then charged over to her bed.

Kuwabara woke up with a startling fright screaming about the ghosts that were trying to get them. Yusuke had jumped out of his bed and was preparing to shot off one of his famous Spirit Gun attacks… but had managed to stop himself when he realized it was just Lain.

Yusuke yawned and then starred at Lain a little annoyed. "Come on lady! Can't you just be a little more quite!? I mean first I hear you yelling out of the bathroom and then next you're here bursting open the door and being really loud! Some people are trying to sleep you know!"

"Save it for someone who cares…" Lain muttered pulling out dry clothes. She now had in her hand a long black tank top and bagging black pants. Next she had long white socks and her only pair of huge black boots with the bells. She also had in her hands one elbow high black cut off glove and the other one that only went up her wrist about three inches. She went to the bathroom that was connected to the room and closed the door and began to change.

"What's up with her?" Kuwabara asked looking around the room sleepily. "Some one's in a bad mood…"

"You're telling me," Yusuke said shaking his head. "Girls are just so strange."

Lain then burst out of the bathroom in her clothes with a bright smile on her face. She walked over to her bed and then threw her wet cloths in her bag and then grabbed her katana in the sheath and flung it over her back.

"Well boys! Let's go already! We're supposed to arrive on Hanging-Neck Island soon! And I want to be in top form for when we start the Dark Tournament!" Lain said still smiling. She then left the room leaving the two boys dumbstruck over her totally positive attitude.

Haha! I finally finished this chapter! Hope you liked it! Read and Review people! Please! Want to know what you think!!! Haha!!!